The Art of Intelligence

Lessons from a Life in the CIA's Clandestine Service

By: Henry A. Crumpton

Narrated by: David Colacci

Length: 12 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

A legendary CIA spy and counterterrorism expert tells the spellbinding story of his high-risk, action-packed career while illustrating the growing importance of America's intelligence officers and their secret missions.

For a crucial period, Henry Crumpton led the CIA's global covert operations against America's terrorist enemies, including al Qaeda. In the days after 9/11, the CIA tasked Crumpton to organize and lead the Afghanistan campaign. With Crumpton's strategic initiative and bold leadership, from the battlefield to the Oval Office, U.S. and Afghan allies routed al Qaeda and the Taliban in less than 90 days after the Twin Towers fell. At the height of combat against the Taliban in late 2001, there were fewer than 500 Americans on the ground in Afghanistan, a dynamic blend of CIA and Special Forces. The campaign changed the way America wages war. This book will change the way America views the CIA.

The Art of Intelligence draws from the full arc of Crumpton's espionage and covert action exploits to explain what America's spies do and why their service is more valuable than ever. From his early years in Africa, where he recruited and ran sources, from loathsome criminals to heroic warriors; to his liaison assignment at the FBI, the CIA's Counterterrorism Center, the development of the UAV Predator program, and the Afghanistan war; to his later work running all CIA clandestine operations inside the United States, he employs enthralling storytelling to teach important lessons about national security, but also about duty, honor, and love of country.

No book like The Art of Intelligence has ever been written - not with Crumpton's unique perspective, in a time when America faced such grave and uncertain risk. It is an epic, sure to be a classic in the annals of espionage and war.

©2012 Henry A. Crumpton (P)2012 Penguin Audiobooks

Acronyms

Overuse of acronyms was unnecessary. It was distracting and sometimes had to follow. Had to work to hard to remember all the meanings of the acronyms. Otherwise great a great listen!!

Great Read

I really enjoyed this book. Well done and thank you for your service to our country!

Insider perspective on the modern world of intel

What did you love best about The Art of Intelligence?

An insider perspective of the world of intelligence and modern warfare as they hunt for the most wanted terrorists. Crumpton pinpoints the differences between multiple agencies he collaborated with over the years from education, technology, tradecraft, protocol, dealing with politics, decision making as well as working with the private sector.

What did you like best about this story?

An insider perspective of the world of intelligence and modern warfare. The reasons behind introducing drones and their evolution into effective predators is described in great detail. Fascinating look into use of data to improve decision making. The story is surprisingly revealing.

What about David Colacci’s performance did you like?

The narration was direct and purposeful, but not droning.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were some beautiful uses of data described. The collaboration between government agencies described is awe inspiring. There is some parts of prayer and deep patriotic feelings by the author.

Great Book, Very Insightful

Overall a super insightful and interesting read. I greatly enjoyed listening to this in the car (it didn’t put me to sleep on long drives)! I feel like Crumpton gave a very well rounded perspective of his contributions and overall the operations of the CIA.

Substantive, yet novelistic memoir. Outstanding

Ignore most of the negative comments, because Crumpton shares as much as he can without compromising security, and he does it in such a way that the reader is simultaneously entertained and informed. One commentor was upset about the use of unknown acronyms and terms, but the author defines each acronym the first time it's used, and if you can't figure out some terms based on context or your own experience then perhaps you should start somewhere else.

I was thrilled to hear about his journey pursuing a career at CIA, and once there how he and his colleagues bounded uncertainty to solve new problems. He pulls no punches when it comes to clashes with adversaries, both overseas and here in our own government. Excellent book; and the narrator is great although I played it at 1.35X

Great insight on the cia

Hank dove straight into his experience at the CIA. He gave meaningful accounts of the good and bad and down right confusing mentality of the DO. I recommend this book for anyone seeking employment within that organization.

A Fantastic Read

This was an extremely well written book by an expert in the field. I would consider it a must if you are interested in the subject matter, especially the development of the US drone program.

Pretty good

I greatly enjoyed this. The author is more of an unwitting chauvinist than I would have liked but otherwise I thought it was really great.

Like a Baked Potato - plain without anything else

Any additional comments?

Very interesting overall, but the lack of specific details makes the book bland as hell. He basically covers his career and the highlights through the years. We get a pseudo inside look at the CIA and intelligence, but the story continually suffers from a lack of specificity. I understand that anything like this has to be scrubbed of details to protect the innocent, but that doesn't mean it makes for good reading.

GREAT

Some books just bring you in and you just keep on listening to enjoy it thoroughly. Some books just bring you in and you just keep on listening to enjoy it thoroughly